Now that Muttiah Muralitharan has broken Shane Warne's world record of most Test victims it's interesting to compare the two kings of spin and where they stand head to head.

For me, the most interesting aspect is how close the two masters were to each other throughout their illustrious careers.

But the issue is not just about who claimed more wickets and how long it took, but rather which of the two players has stamped his authority on the game more. And there can be no doubt that Warne is the bigger of the two giants. Yes, it may be that coming from a first-world country with the PR machines blazing gives him the edge on getting his profile across, but if you listen to the great batsmen who faced Warne, they all talk about his presence as well as his undoubted talent turning the ball.

‘Remember the banner at the SCG suggesting that part of the ground be called 'the one-night stand' in Warnie's honour.'

Warne will be remembered in Test history for the ball which dismissed Mike Gatting at Old Trafford – how many footballers are remembered for one pass, or tennis players for one shot? And, of course, Warne's extra-curricular lifestyle was always good fodder for the front and back pages of the tabloids – remember the banner at the SCG suggesting that part of the ground be called 'the one-night stand' in his honour. Warnie was massive for cricket and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats.

But being the bigger of the two giants does not mean BETTER. Sure, the maestro from Kandy is not a personality player like Warne but he is the Victorian's equal in terms of spin. After the initial problems with the ubiquitous umpire Darryl Hair who called him for no-balling early in his career, Murali took the knock and made himself the greatest. Ian Chappell, speaking on BBC Radio today, said that if any other bowler had tried to deliver the ball in the Murali style, it would have ended up at square leg or cover point.

Murali came from a relatively poor country and made himself into an icon, rather like Sir Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar. And his famous 'doosra' ball (going the wrong way from leg to off) which he developed has sent many a class act scurrying back to the pavilion. And, of course, Murali is still playing and could easily reach 800, a feat which will not be surpassed by any current bowlers.